April 21st, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA  — Yesterday, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released delayed audit findings identifying significant weaknesses in its financial internal controls and issued layoff notices to certain employees.

While LAHSA stated that the layoffs are solely due to Los Angeles County’s decision to redirect taxpayer funding to strengthen accountability in the homeless services system, that explanation is incomplete. The City of Los Angeles’ forthcoming budget decisions will also play a role in determining the number of positions that remain at LAHSA.

Los Angeles County, under the leadership of Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, has advanced long-overdue reforms to improve transparency and accountability, including the launch of the County’s new Department of Homeless Services and Housing, where strong internal controls are built in from the outset.

The County is actively supporting workforce continuity during this transition:

• 254 County-funded positions have been identified for LAHSA staff at the County. 
• To date, 69 LAHSA outreach workers have been offered positions within the County.
• An additional 159 County-funded administrative positions have been identified but have not yet entered the hiring process; these roles are included in the layoff notices.

Supervisor Horvath issued the following statement:

“Los Angeles County has taken a deliberate, phased approach to transitioning funding, contracts, and staff from LAHSA to the County. Audit after audit has made clear why this action is necessary. This moment underscores a broader and ongoing concern: LAHSA has too often operated as a black box. Commissioners, the media, and funding partners have repeatedly struggled to obtain clear, reliable information about staffing and budgets. That lack of transparency is exactly why structural reform is necessary.

At the same time, we recognize that people’s livelihoods are part of this transition, which is why we have implemented an accelerated hiring process now underway and an ongoing employment concierge service, in close partnership with SEIU 721.

Our focus is on building a system that delivers transparency, accountability, and results—while supporting the dedicated workforce that provides housing and care to people experiencing homelessness.”

SEIU 721 President and Executive Director David Green issued the following statement:

“SEIU 721-represented LAHSA employees have played a critical role in combatting Los Angeles County’s homelessness crisis, and we will continue our fight to ensure every single member is supported throughout this transition.

We look forward to our continued partnership with elected leaders as we work to implement long-term, transparent strategies that deliver much-needed care to the most vulnerable in our communities and champion the vital services our members provide.”

LAHSA employees who would like to get in touch with County concierge hiring support can reach out to dhrconcierge@hr.lacounty.gov

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